Sergio Perez of Mexico in a Sauber during the first practice session Friday for the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the America's in Austin.

Sergio Perez of Mexico in a Sauber during the first practice session Friday for the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the America's in Austin.

Photo: Express-News

Sergio Perez of Mexico in a Sauber during the first practice... Photo-3748530.52599 - San Antonio Express-News

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Sergio Perez of Mexicon during the first practice session Friday for the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the America's in Austin.

Sergio Perez of Mexicon during the first practice session Friday for the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the America's in Austin.

Photo: Express-News

Sergio Perez of Mexicon during the first practice session Friday... Photo-3748531.52599 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 4 of 31

Mexican Sergio Perez walks along the Circuit of the America's pit lane Thursday. Practice for the United States Grand Prix begins Friday morning with the race scheduled for Sunday.

Mexican Sergio Perez walks along the Circuit of the America's pit lane Thursday. Practice for the United States Grand Prix begins Friday morning with the race scheduled for Sunday.

Photo: Express-News

Mexican Sergio Perez walks along the Circuit of the America's... Photo-3748532.52599 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 5 of 31

Mexican driver Sergio Perez waits in his car during the second practice session Friday for the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the America's in Austin.

Mexican driver Sergio Perez waits in his car during the second practice session Friday for the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the America's in Austin.

Photo: For The Express-News

Mexican driver Sergio Perez waits in his car during the second... Photo-3748674.52599 - San Antonio Express-News

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Mexican Sergio Perez (upper left) listens to questions during a Thursday press conference at the Circuit of the America's. He is surrounded by Lewis Hamilton (upper right)), Sebastian Vettel (lower right), and Fernando Alonso (lower left). less

Mexican Sergio Perez (upper left) listens to questions during a Thursday press conference at the Circuit of the America's. He is surrounded by Lewis Hamilton (upper right)), Sebastian Vettel (lower right), and ... more

Sauber driver Sergio Perez, of Mexico, celebrates on the podium after taking second place during the Italian Formula One GP, at the Monza racetrack, in Monza, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) less

Sauber driver Sergio Perez, of Mexico, celebrates on the podium after taking second place during the Italian Formula One GP, at the Monza racetrack, in Monza, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Antonio ... more

Sauber driver Sergio Perez of Mexico sits in his car during the second practice session for the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit in Noida, on the outskirts of New Delhi, India, Friday, Oct. 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Mark Baker) less

Sauber driver Sergio Perez of Mexico sits in his car during the second practice session for the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit in Noida, on the outskirts of New Delhi, India, ... more

Sauber driver Sergio Perez of Mexico, steers his car during the second free practice session for Formula One's U.S. Grand Prix auto race at the Circuit of The Americas, Friday, Nov. 16, 2012, in Austin, Texas. The race is scheduled for Sunday. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) less

Sauber driver Sergio Perez of Mexico, steers his car during the second free practice session for Formula One's U.S. Grand Prix auto race at the Circuit of The Americas, Friday, Nov. 16, 2012, in Austin, Texas. ... more

Sauber driver Sergio Perez of Mexico watches a screen during the first practice session for the Indian Formula One Grand Prix, at the Buddh International Circuit in Noida, on the outskirts of New Delhi, India, Friday, Oct. 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Greg Baker) less

Sauber driver Sergio Perez of Mexico watches a screen during the first practice session for the Indian Formula One Grand Prix, at the Buddh International Circuit in Noida, on the outskirts of New Delhi, India, ... more

Sauber driver Sergio Perez of Mexico stands in his car after finishing eighth fastest in the qualifying session for the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit in Noida, on the outskirts of New Delhi, India, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Mark Baker) less

Sauber driver Sergio Perez of Mexico stands in his car after finishing eighth fastest in the qualifying session for the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit in Noida, on the ... more

Sauber driver Sergio Perez of Mexico, steers his car during the second free practice session for Formula One's U.S. Grand Prix auto race at the Circuit of The Americas, Friday, Nov. 16, 2012, in Austin, Texas. The race is scheduled for Sunday. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) less

Sauber driver Sergio Perez of Mexico, steers his car during the second free practice session for Formula One's U.S. Grand Prix auto race at the Circuit of The Americas, Friday, Nov. 16, 2012, in Austin, Texas. ... more

Sauber Formula One driver Sergio Perez of Mexico speaks during a news conference in Guadalajara, Mexico, Friday March 30, 2012. The 22-year-old Sauber team driver became the first Mexican Formula One driver, since 1971, to get on the podium when he finished second at the Malaysian Grand Prix, last Sunday. (AP Photo / Bruno González) less

Sauber Formula One driver Sergio Perez of Mexico speaks during a news conference in Guadalajara, Mexico, Friday March 30, 2012. The 22-year-old Sauber team driver became the first Mexican Formula One driver, ... more

Esteban Gutierrez (L) of Mexico and Sauber F1 talks with fellow countryman Sergio Perez (R) as he prepares to drive during practice for the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at Buddh International Circuit on October 26, 2012 in Noida, India. less

Esteban Gutierrez (L) of Mexico and Sauber F1 talks with fellow countryman Sergio Perez (R) as he prepares to drive during practice for the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at Buddh International Circuit on ... more

Mexico's Sergio Perez of Team Sauber F1 exits turn 9 during the first practice session for the United States Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas on November 16, 2012 in Austin, Texas. AFP PHOTO/Jim WATSONJIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images less

Mexico's Sergio Perez of Team Sauber F1 exits turn 9 during the first practice session for the United States Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas on November 16, 2012 in Austin, Texas. ... more

Sauber-Ferrari driver Sergio Perez of Mexico (R) takes a corner as Force India-Mercedes driver Nico Hulkenberg of Germany pursues during the Formula One Indian Grand Prix in Greater Noida, on the outskirts of New Delhi on October 28, 2012. AFP PHOTO/ MANAN VATSYAYANAMANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images less

Sauber-Ferrari driver Sergio Perez of Mexico (R) takes a corner as Force India-Mercedes driver Nico Hulkenberg of Germany pursues during the Formula One Indian Grand Prix in Greater Noida, on the outskirts of ... more

Sauber-Ferrari driver Sergio Perez of Mexico powers his car during the third practice session at the Buddh International circuit in Greater Noida, on the outskirts of New Delhi on October 27, 2012. The Formula One Indian Grand Prix 2012 will take place on October 28. AFP PHOTO/ PRAKASH SINGHPRAKASH SINGH/AFP/Getty Images less

Sauber-Ferrari driver Sergio Perez of Mexico powers his car during the third practice session at the Buddh International circuit in Greater Noida, on the outskirts of New Delhi on October 27, 2012. The Formula ... more

Sauber-Ferrari driver Sergio Perez of Mexico powers his car during the second practice session at the Buddh International circuit in Greater Noida, on the outskirts of New Delhi on October 26, 2012. The Formula One Indian Grand Prix 2012 will take place on October 28. AFP PHOTO/ MANAN VATSYAYANAMANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images less

Sauber-Ferrari driver Sergio Perez of Mexico powers his car during the second practice session at the Buddh International circuit in Greater Noida, on the outskirts of New Delhi on October 26, 2012. The ... more

Sauber's Mexican driver Sergio Perez (L) and Sauber's Japanese driver Kamui Kobayashi drive during the first practice session at the Yas Marina circuit on November 2, 2012 in Abu Dhabi ahead of the Abu Dhabi ... more

Mexico's Sergio Perez of Team Sauber F1 exits turn 9 during the first practice session for the United States Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas on November 16, 2012 in Austin, Texas.

Mexico's Sergio Perez of Team Sauber F1 exits turn 9 during the first practice session for the United States Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas on November 16, 2012 in Austin, Texas.